Julie Velásquez Runk

Contact Info

My research uses integrative (or interdisciplinary) approaches to how people use and manage their landscapes, how that relates to science, conservation, indigenous knowledge, and policy, and how people cope with variability and change. I ground this work in political ecology, science and technology studies, human geography, and collaboration. My investigations contribute to three key areas of understanding for human – environment relations and cultural anthropology: 1) how to conserve and govern environments in culturally sensitive ways; 2) how indigenous populations maintain their identity and advocate for their rights in spite of tremendous change; 3) and how to make science more collaborative, via processes that build theory and incorporate multiple voices. I use my background in ecology and conservation practice to build work that is conversant in natural and social sciences, and that is relevant to local communities and conservation practitioners.

Education:

Ph.D. in Anthropology and Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University and Economic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden

M.E.M. in Resource Ecology, with graduate certificate in Latin American Studies, Duke University

B.A. in Biology, with certificate (minor) in Latin American Studies, Grinnell College